miles_ahead

unless you are going for a around-the-world-photography-trip, you don't want to have your photo gears take up more than 1/2 of your backpack, plus i bet you will not enjoy the constant changing of lenses for your shoots too. i won't.

disclaimer -- i am talking from an amateur photographer point of view, whoes aims is to capture nice and wonderfully composed photographs of memories of the trip; i.e., not some professionals who shoot photos for a living. sorry if i offended anyone here.

i think your original suggestion is good - nikon 28-105 lens + 50mm fast lens. maybe you might want to think about N80 for your camera instead. adding a lightweight tripod will be a plus.

as for the battery, i don't see there is any issue here. you are traveling to new zealand, se asia, and europe - not to the amazon jungle! - they do have batteries for your nikon camera but just make sure you always have one extra backup battery pack with you.

how much to carry is a subjective issue. however, imho and from my travel experiences, do only carry a minimum yet sufficient photography gears to capture your memories and stories of your journey, don't make it your liability/burden to carry so much gears and ending up not enjoy your trip; do your research and get the best quality lens(es) within your budget.

i would also consider what type and quatity of film to bring, reputable camera shops to restocking and processing films along your journey. please beware that film processing quality in southeast asia is range from good, ok, bad to horrible! (as i learned my lesson.)

have a wonderful journey of your life.

-eng

a zoom range between 24-135 is a good travel lens, at least for me. you will have a lot of opportunity shooting people portraits. most indians are genuinely friendly and allowing you to take their photos, (but also beware of those whose interest is what's in your wallet too.)

bring some high speed films as tripod are not allowed in some places or temples.

-eng

i recommend rick steves' travel website, it is packed with useful information for traveling in europe. i found it very valuable for preparing my trip to europe last time. if you ever planned to do your own traveling, i highly recommend his guide books; i used it to travel in europe for 5 weeks.

http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/home.htm

http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/home.htm

as for my personal experiences, here are steps that i do to safeguard my camera and belongings --

1) i keep my camera, as well as my travel guide, maps, and lunch /snacks in a daypack. i don't like using an extra camera bag, as others had suggested, straps to my waist because (a) the extra bag might disclose your identity as a tourist, and (b) i prefer travel light.

when riding in a subway or bus, carry your daypack on your front. you never know what happens behind you in a crowded ride.

2) i would strap the camera belt around my wrist if it's not in my backpack -- you can get the wrist strap at b+h or adorama.

3) pay attention to the environment you are in, no matter it's a crowded street or quite lane or in subway or bus. pls also read rick steves' "graffiti wall" section which packed with travelers' advices and dos and do-nots.

always be alert of your surrounding, have fun sighseeing, and shooting your next masterpiece.

-eng

ps: fyi -- if you ever wanted to use your atm overseas, please make sure your pin is a 4 digit number. most atm elsewhere in the world accepts 4 digit pin number only.

Before I post my question, please pardon me for being ignorant here with the discussion, I am a new kid on the block.

Mark Farnsworth wrote:

>> 3. Developer, dilution, temperature, time

>>

>> The last one is by far the most valuable information.

Mark, I am curious as why #3 is the most valuable info to you? Do you intend to use them as "lesson learned" or something else that I missed completely.

-eng